The average family would be paying an extra £17.74 per month compared with the beginning of the year, the AA said.

"A new petrol price record doesn't mean the end of the world for UK drivers, but they will have to start adopting more fuel-saving driving techniques to get more miles out of their tanks," said Ruth Bridger, the AA trust's petrol price analyst.

"With a bit of thought and a lighter foot on the accelerator, a 10% reduction is achievable."

Prices to stay 'strong'

On Tuesday, the boss of Britain's biggest oil company said high oil prices could push petrol prices even higher.

Oil prices have remained buoyant in recent months due to a combination of strong demand, worries over disruption to supplies from Nigeria and concerns over Iran's nuclear programme.

The price of US light, sweet crude oil - a benchmark for global oil markets - hit a record high of more than $75 a barrel last week, and Brent crude, the European benchmark, touched $74 before falling back slightly.